As for the best performing models, we can reveal the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A continues to do well with it achieving the best overall optical performance of those tested, very closely followed by the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 G, which now sits ahead of the accessibly priced 85mm f/1.8G model slightly, based on sharpness scores.

Some of the high-grade pro-oriented Nikon models, such as the current AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2 ED VR II and the 400mm f/2.8G ED VR have slightly better sharpness scores than either the full-frame Sigma 35mm or the 85mm Nikon, indeed on the D7100 they’re the sharpest lenses of all the models tested.

Further readings for the Best lenses for the 24M-Pix Nikon D7100: Part I

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

Following the lens recommendations for Nikon D7100 and entry-level D3200, we’ve now turned our attention to the new mid-range D5300. We’ve tested the camera with more than 140 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses have the best image quality when paired with the new camera.

This is the third part in the series of our lens recommendations for the Nikon D7100 where we’ve analyzed nearly 46 Nikon and third-party telephoto prime and zoom models to assess their optical quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses are the best performers when paired with Nikon’s ultra-high resolution 24-Mpix APS-C format semi-pro model.

This is the second part of our lens recommendations for the Nikon D7100 where we’ve analyzed nearly 60 Nikkor and third-party standard and portrait prime and zoom models to assess their optical quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses are the best performers when paired with Nikon’s ultra-high resolution 24-Mpix APS-C format semi-pro model.

Comments

Very useful info!

Thanks for the great effort. I'm researching long zoom lenses for sports shooting with my D7100. I own a Sigma 150-500 OS and I was wondering if this lens will be tested on the D7100 at some point? And are there any plans to test using 1.4 and/or 2.0 TCs with the lens on your list?

NIKON 35mm

Hello,

I'm preparing to buy the 30mm f/1.4 sigma ART using with my D7100, my question is, why it is better the 35mm f/1.8G nikon lens, they have the same score, but the sigma is much sharper, should I buy the inexpensive nikon lens...?

First replies for this comment

Re: NIKON 35mm

Hi Nycko,Thanks for contacting us. You might be interested in this 35mm and 30mm comparison: http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-35-mm-f-1.8G-on-Nikon-D7100-versus-Sigma-30mm-F14-DC-HSM-A-Nikon-on-Nikon-D7100-versus-35mm-F1.4-AS-UMC-Nikon-on-Nikon-D7100___313_865_1099_865_359_865

The Sigma 30mm is brighter and sharper, but the 35mm from Nikon remains a safe bet economically speaking.

nikkor 18-105mm VR

Hello, fantastic and very useful tests you've done here! :)There is only one major omission, in my modest opinion: the nikkor 18-105mm VR, which is actually a little shaper (and in a more homogeneous way) than the nikkor 18-135mm, especially wide open.Best regards,Stefano

Re: Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 OS

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G vs 50mm f/1.8G

This a comment for [url=http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Reviews/Best-lenses-for-the-24M-Pix-Nikon-D7100-Part-I]this page on the website[/url]I admit I don't understand why the 35mm has a DxOmark score of 26 on the D7100 (making it a recommented prime) vs 22 for the 50mm while the 50mm seems to [url=http://outperform the 35mm on every single lens metric score]outperform the 35mm on every single lens metric score[/url]...

Why do you not split the best lenses test as usually common on DXOmark?

Dear DXOmark team,

why do you not split the best lenses test more detailed for the D7100 as usually common (e.g. D800, D600)?? Instead of just two categories prime and zoom lenses, you could use similar to other "best lenses test" ultra-/wide angle, standard, super/-telephoto lenses??

Re: Why do you not split the best lenses test as usually common on DXOmark?

sigma 18-35 review

Dear sirI daily check ur web for sigma 18-35 review for nikon d7100 and d5200.Please publish review of this too. I am very very anxious to know about the performance of this lens with the mentioned nikon modal.Please do something

How 7100 performs against D3200 and D5200 is a really question...

The obvious reason for a 50% increase in sharpness

I might mention that you said that the increase in sharpness was as much as 50%. If you look at the pixel figures on the two sensors involved, then the 24 MP sensor is a 50% increase over the 16 MP sensor. I would suspect that this is the true reason for the increase in sharpness, not the lack of a low pass filter.

sigma 18-35 f/1.8?

Incorrect Conclusion!

I apologize for being somewhat critical of your otherwise fine review but you have not shown that the new sensor of the D7100 has any advantage due to not having a blur filter. In fact it may offer no advantage whatsoever.

The increase in sharpness of the D7100 over the D7000 may simply be due to the increase of pixels on the sensors.

To prove your assumptions you should also have included data from the same lenses used on a D5200, which has a similar sensor to the D7100, albeit with a blur filter.

My own somewhat uneducated guess would be that there is hardly any difference in sharpness between the D7100 and the D5200, and despite the price difference the D5200 sensor is actually superior when it comes to low light (your own tests).

Favorite lens

Sigma 50-150 F2.8 Mk II

Interesting that you included the first version of this lens in the list of those tested. The Mk II version - without the stabilisation - is a much improved lens at wide apertures and short focal lengths. Those factors, and its weight/size benefits over the later stabilised version make it a lens of choice for DX shooters - despite its age.Be very interesting if somehow the published results could be interpolated in some way to rank it with the D7100.

First replies for this comment

Re: Sigma 50-150 F2.8 Mk II

performance comparison of same lenses on 24MPix DX vs FX

First, many thanks for the great job You are doing.Especially I was eagerly waiting for Your results on the D7100.After having used a D300 for about 5 years, I decided to switch to FX with the D600. But to keep my reach in telephoto for long distance portraits during travels (400-600mm) I got a D7100 as a second body but did a lot of practical comparison testing partly with the same FX lenses (i.e. 70-200/4, 16-35/4, the new 18-35, etc), partly with the respective DX counterparts(i.e. 12-24/4 DX vs. 18-35 FX or Sigma 17-50/2.8 DX vs 24-85 resp.120 FX or Sigma 8-16 DX vs. Sigma 12-24 FX).Especially I looked at detail capability, border/corner sharpness and noise behaviour in low/bad light conditions resp. shady areas.From this personal experience I would call the D600 a fault tolerant workhorse which under most conditions does a very good job.Compared to that the D7100 many times seems to behaves like a sensible race horse, which can deliver fantastic results but requires optimal conditions like much light, short shutter times, the shorter the better and highend lenses which are able to satisfy the much 'denser' sensor of the D7100 compared to the D600.Concerning my lens comparisons, none of the DX lenses I tried on the D7100 could beat or even reach the IQ of comparable FX lenses on the D7100. On the other hand, the IQ with the same FX lenses when used on the D600 easily outperformed the D7100 especially under not optimal conditions as mentioned above. At max I could achieve similar IQ with the D7100, when having optimal conditions and taking care of the experienced requirements. Sice quite a time I wanted to share and discuss my experiences with You resp. the readers of this forum but wanted to wait for Your measurement results. Now if I compare Your values for DXO Score and P-Mpix of the same lenses between D7100 and D600, I have the feeling that this underlines my practical experiences; or am I wrong in comparing those values ?Both are 24MPix cameras and I simply want to find out what to get from this two different bodies with the same lenses.I would really appreciate if You could/would provide a review about this topic, because from my experience up to now my personal question is:Why should I use a 24MPix DX body if there is a 24MPix FX body available, which easily delivers better results in many situations and is not that much more expensive and only slightly heavier and bigger.Especially as, reading Your results, all the top performing lenses on the D7100 are FX lenses. Kindest Regards, mjwicki

Re: performance comparison of same lenses on 24MPix DX vs FX

no link on DxO View Point

One more comment: there is no link on what turns out to be just a picture of the software advertised in the background. I wanted to know more about it, but there is no link available, anywhere! So, am I supposed to go to Google and search for it, then I guess will be redirected to the DxO website... it looks a little lame if you ask me. Besides most of the people will simply move on to the next distraction, which is usually only one click away.

First replies for this comment

Re: no link on DxO View Point

Yeah!

Thanks for this tests, great job! I own D3200 and 18-55 + 55-300 and I like image which 55-300 make, but 18-55 is frustrating and I am going to replace it with Sigma|Tamron 17-50 or Sigma 18-35A. So would be cool to see result of Sigma 18-35. APC format with such performers become much more attractive - body and lenses is cheaper and much lighter. So one benefit from FF is higher ISO.

Fantastic job, Congratulations!

I went through the tests for the lenses I was interested in, and they are all there!The results for image quality of the D7100 are stunning, and on par if often not even better than the Canon 70D: that's impressive, since Canon has been until now the absolute leader in image quality. I guess that after losing the crown for sensor performance to a bunch of other manufacturers, this was an expected result, later if not sooner.

Well, to end properly, congratulations again for these latest tests: you have become the undiscussed leader in photographic image testing! :)